pensfan1989 wrote:"Going to Pittsburgh was a huge mistake and I'm glad I was able to leave after one year" -Todd Graham

Discuss.

I'd love to hear his reasons... The AD? The facillities? The Boosters?

What did he think was so horrible? Where does he think changes should be made?

Lord knows he's seen enough programs he should know what works and what doesn't.

I could see it being a pretty terrible setup for a college coach. It's just different, aren't college coaches and players normally setup in a nice little vacuum where they are guarded from criticism...here in Pittsburgh, i'd bet the level of criticism is really far above the level of support that the team gets....it's basically a professional setup for a bunch of amateurs....there are plenty of local yocals living in la la land that think western PA is a national hot bed for high school talent and that because Pitt uses the same facility as the Steelers they should have a leg up on the competition. so based on that they're just appalled that Pitt can't compete.

Expectations don't meet reality, firing Wanny was always a horrible move imo (not trying to get in huge debate over this again.. but I think Wanny had this program pretty much as good as it was going to get). Consistent top 25, maybe once in a blue moon make a run of something more.. Every once in awhile disappointing year.

That's Pitt's ceiling imo

That being said, Graham wasn't here long enough to feel that pressure. His problem here was rather obvious, absolutely 0 compromise on a team that was built the exact opposite of what he wanted to run. He should have tried to transition his way in, but he basically ignored his players to build his style. Hell, if Hynoski would have stayed he would have tried to use him in his style of offense and would have crushed his NFL potential for example of how little he cared about what his players were.

Troy Loney wrote:that think western PA is a national hot bed for high school talent and that because Pitt uses the same facility as the Steelers they should have a leg up on the competition. so based on that they're just appalled that Pitt can't compete.

I grew up in Aliquippa so maybe that made me delusional.... but are you implying that Western PA doesn't pump out high end Football talent?

Troy Loney wrote:that think western PA is a national hot bed for high school talent and that because Pitt uses the same facility as the Steelers they should have a leg up on the competition. so based on that they're just appalled that Pitt can't compete.

I grew up in Aliquippa so maybe that made me delusional.... but are you implying that Western PA doesn't pump out high end Football talent?

Troy Loney wrote:that think western PA is a national hot bed for high school talent and that because Pitt uses the same facility as the Steelers they should have a leg up on the competition. so based on that they're just appalled that Pitt can't compete.

I grew up in Aliquippa so maybe that made me delusional.... but are you implying that Western PA doesn't pump out high end Football talent?

In terms of current athletes... Its 1000% behind CA, TX, and FL but Western PA is still pretty darn good.

I'd say along with the Eastern Ohio its probably the number 1 non-Southern (MS, AL, LA, NC,SC are probably all better, see SEC dominance) region (outside of CA)

That being said, its not like Pitt has a monopoly of western PA recruits with tOSU, WVU, and PSU. I love Pitt, but go to a Pitt game at Heinz Field.. and then go to one of those 3. I don't blame any recruit that would be more excited to play elsewhere

Between ranked Rutgers and 4-6 (?) Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh was favored and won handily. This is the type of game we (RU) are just unable to pull out for some reason...right before or right after a big game, against a team we "should" beat on the road...and we just lay an egg...Cincinnati a few years ago, Connecticut the other year, Pittsburgh this year...at least this time, we get a winner-take-all shot at the Big East...disappointing game, but somehow I felt it coming...I tried to be optimistic and said that RU would win 12-7, but not even close...

This is it for Pittsburgh in the Big East, right? So...I guess from an RU perspective...I guess, "we'll see you when we see you..."

Troy Loney wrote:that think western PA is a national hot bed for high school talent and that because Pitt uses the same facility as the Steelers they should have a leg up on the competition. so based on that they're just appalled that Pitt can't compete.

I grew up in Aliquippa so maybe that made me delusional.... but are you implying that Western PA doesn't pump out high end Football talent?